Greens Win Down in the West Midlands

Try Fest at Wassell Grove

The Greens travelled to the West Midlands with an experienced squad but also included two players on the bench who would play for the first time this season. Eddie Newsome was playing for the first time since being injured 12 months ago and Jay Johnson was making his senior debut.

Play commenced in the best playing conditions experienced for some time and both teams put the ball through the hands from the start. Scunthorpe nearly scored in the first minute through a strong run by Dave Garbutt but the supporting Josh Bird was dragged down just short of the line. The Greens were not scoreless for long as they benefitted from a penalty for a high tackle and drove over from the subsequent line-out, with Garbutt getting the touchdown. Paul Cook misted the conversion but the Greens were ahead by 5 points to nil after only 4 minutes of play.

The home boys did not lack for ambition and when they turned over Scunthorpe possession in mid-field, A chip and chase was won by Ollie Kealey for the try to which Jamie Keen added the extras to put the home side in front by 7 points to 5 after 10 minutes of play. Following a strong run by Cook, the ball was moved to the right wing where Will Robinson out-paced the cover to score. Cook was successful with his kick this time and Scunthorpe were ahead by 12 points to 7 in the 16th minute. Only two minutes later and following multiple phases, the ball found Sam Morgan on the right wing who complete a strong 25 metre run to the corner. The conversion failed but Scunthorpe were now 17 points to 7 ahead. Scores were now coming thick and fast and the next try was by Tom Foster who was the beneficiary of a clean break on half-way by Oli Wood. Cook duly added the extras from in front of the posts for a lead of 24 points to 7 after 22 minutes and also secured the 4 try bonus point. The next try came in the 27th minute when Olli Cole made a powerful run down the left wing and unselfishly passed inside to Garbutt to dot down for his second try. Cook once more added the extras for a score-line of 31 points to 7.

Foster got his second try on the half-hour and Garbutt completed his hat-trick just before the half-time whistle. Sandwiched in between these scores was a try for the home boys by Kealey. So the teams went into the break with the scoreboard showing the Greens in front by 45 points to 14, Cook having converted both of the last two tries.

The second half was only 5 minutes old when Gareth Mist crossed, followed 3 minutes later by Will Robinson and only two minutes later by Wood. Cook converted two of the three tries and scoreline read 64 points to 12, ten minutes into the second half. The home boys were next to score 21 minutes into the second half for their third try with a conversion by Keen to now take them up to 19 points after 21 minutes of the second half. Further tries followed from Ben Hyde (24th minute), Robinson for his hat-trick (28th minute), Grant Elliott (36th minute) and Eddie Newsome (42nd minute). Cook converted all these scores giving Scunthorpe a final tally of 97points. Old Hales did manage to get their 4th and bonus point try after 31 minutes to briefly halt The Green try fest for a 24point total.

Tom Robinson will be pleased not only with the 5 points but also the method of victory and that the two new boys combined well to produce the final score. Next Saturdays sees The Greens travel to Nuneaton to fulfil the game that was cancelled on the 27th January. So, what would have been a rest day finds the boys on the road once more and for a very testing fixture.